Category: Macroeconomics

Fourteen economists from France and Germany are presenting a reform package aimed at making the euro area more robust and more resilient to crises as well as allow for sound public finances and stronger economic growth.

The euro area has recently seen some good news. A broad-based economic recovery is under way. Significant institutional reforms have been achieved, particularly in the area of banking union. Significant economic reforms are under way in several countries, including in France.

As French and German economists committed to Europe and to the friendship between our countries, we are nonetheless concerned that the Euro area continues to face significant fragilities. Addressing these requires a comprehensive, collaborative push for reforms. If this … [continue reading]

It is wise for the ECB to stick to its policy strategy and not let itself be impressed by criticism from Germany. The pressure from Germany for the ECB to end its expansionary policy stance prematurely has increased. The ECB is right to resist the pressure from Germany as the economic and financial risks for the euro area are still significant.

The ECB is only gradually getting closer to meeting its price stability mandate as in particular core inflation is … [continue reading]

The European Central Bank is facing a difficult dilemma. The slower the euro area economy is growing, the lower interest rates and the harder it becomes for the ECB to implement its public sector purchase program. The ECB has assumed a wait-and-see strategy in the hope that its new measures will be effective and the economy will not deteriorate further. Italy’s banking crisis, more than the Brexit, is an enormous risk for the entire euro area, also for Germany, and … [continue reading]

An important aspect, that has been widely ignored in the debate about the consequences of a Brexit, is the impact on ECB monetary policy. Lower oil prices and a weaker economy in the euro zone and in Germany are likely to increase deflationary pressures further. As a consequence, the ECB is likely to extend its expansionary monetary policy path further into the future. The Brexit will most likely imply a longer period of zero interest rates for the euro area.… [continue reading]

The German constitutional court took a wise decision, but which is effectively a reversal of its earlier decision of January 2014. The court now accepts the authority and the decision by the European Court of Justice on the ECB’s OMT program of 2015. The backing down of the German constitutional court is a smart move, as it would inevitably have lost the battle against the European Court of Justice on issues of European law. … [continue reading]

The ECB has signaled that low inflation is likely to persist even longer than previously feared. The new projections by the ECB have increased the probability of an extension of QE beyond March 2017. The ECB is putting great hopes into its new liquidity program for banks in order to improve credit to the private sector, strengthen the economy and thereby raise the inflation rate.… [continue reading]

“With its decision, the ECB has signalled the continuation of its expansionary monetary policy. The ECB policy of low interest rates will not end soon. I expect interest rates to remain close to zero for another 3 to 4 years.… [continue reading]

Mr. Fratzscher, there are concerns about an overall lack of investment in Germany. Is the problem more urgent in the public sector or in the private sector?The investment gap exists in both the public and private sector. Three years ago, we calculated that Germany’s investment gap amounts to roughly 75 billion euros per year. The investment gap has also been confirmed by other studies. The problem is definitely more urgent in the private sector.

With its decision the ECB is sending a strong signal that it is strongly determined to use all of its instruments to pursue its mandate of price stability. The further expansion is massive and surprising.The decision underlines the ECB’s concerns over a weakening European economy and the banking system. The ECB had no other choice than to further ease its monetary policy stance given the continued risk of deflation and the weaker outlook for the European economy. … [continue reading]